Craven art instructor selected for Hawaii Artist Collaboration

By Judy Eurich, Craven Community College

Published: Tuesday, December 11, 2012 at 05:57 PM.

According to event co-organizer Tai Lake, the Hawaii Artist Collaboration is modeled after larger events held in Canada and New Zealand that are intended to “re-invigorate artists and craftsmen, allowing them to take back a host of new possibilities and connections in to the communities they serve.”

Spencer has already instituted collaboration in her classroom where students are creating kinetic toys.

“The students are learning about each other’s esthetics, and sharing ideas and materials,” Spencer said. “It has definitely added to the dialog in our classroom.”

The 58 pieces produced during the Hawaii Artist Collaboration were on exhibit in Holualoa at the Loveins' Holualoa Gallery and at the Cliff Johns Gallery. The artwork was then auctioned off with proceeds funding arts scholarships and future collaborative events.

Locally, Spencer is involved with the Craven Arts Council, and recently hosted artists from the Dominican Republic, who created murals at CCC’s New Bern and Havelock campuses as well as in the City of New Bern.

Judy Eurich is the director of marketing, communications and development liaison at Craven Community College. She can be reached at 252-638-7210 or eurichj@cravencc.edu.

Elizabeth Spencer is a self-proclaimed lifelong learner. The Craven Community College (CCC) art instructor is passionate about creating art and recently was selected to participate in the Hawaii Artist Collaboration in Holualoa, Hawaii. Thirty-five artists from the Hawaiian islands of Hawaii and Oahu, Australia, England and the United States mainland were invited to come together to collaborate to create original art pieces.

According to the group’s Facebook page, the mission is "Ho'o hui a ho'opa'a, Olelo no eau," which translates to "Bringing together all skillful artists and the talented/wise, to gather as a people and stand together."

The group believes that there is no better way to challenge and invigorate an artist’s creative process than to come together with like-minded individuals.

“Artists typically spend time alone or teaching. The collaboration provides an opportunity for artists to spend time with their peers learning new techniques and processes,” Spencer said.

For four days this fall, the collaboration brought together master artists representing 14 different media to share, learn and create art together. Blacksmiths, fine art painters and sculptors, woodworkers, jewelers, found-object assemblage, and Hawaiian artisans were all represented. A woodworker and wood sculptor, Spencer enjoyed working with the other artists, creating a piece that exposed her to another discipline that didn’t necessarily share her own esthetic.

“It was great to be around the talent and expertise,” Spencer said. “It was also nice to share our experiences about schools and art councils from around the world.”

Spencer’s group created a periscope featuring a hula dancer which allowed her to work on surface treatments such as drawing, burning, and coloring.

According to event co-organizer Tai Lake, the Hawaii Artist Collaboration is modeled after larger events held in Canada and New Zealand that are intended to “re-invigorate artists and craftsmen, allowing them to take back a host of new possibilities and connections in to the communities they serve.”

Spencer has already instituted collaboration in her classroom where students are creating kinetic toys.

“The students are learning about each other’s esthetics, and sharing ideas and materials,” Spencer said. “It has definitely added to the dialog in our classroom.”

The 58 pieces produced during the Hawaii Artist Collaboration were on exhibit in Holualoa at the Loveins' Holualoa Gallery and at the Cliff Johns Gallery. The artwork was then auctioned off with proceeds funding arts scholarships and future collaborative events.

Locally, Spencer is involved with the Craven Arts Council, and recently hosted artists from the Dominican Republic, who created murals at CCC’s New Bern and Havelock campuses as well as in the City of New Bern.

Judy Eurich is the director of marketing, communications and development liaison at Craven Community College. She can be reached at 252-638-7210 or eurichj@cravencc.edu.